Header Navigation

You are here

Meet New Regent John Nelson

Monday, October 6, 2008

Gov. Brad Henry has named Chickasha attorney John Nelson to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Board of Regents. Nelson will serve a seven-year term on the governing board for Oklahoma’s public liberal arts college.

Nelson fills the seat vacated by Gretchen Roddy of Duncan, who served from 2001-08.

“John Nelson has been dedicated to making USAO a greater institution for many years, having served the USAO Foundation in the past,” said USAO President John Feaver. “He makes an excellent appointment to the USAO Board of Regents. His local perspective and broad state and national contacts will bring a valuable frame of reference to this leadership board.”

John Nelson is a partner of the local firm, Park, Nelson, Caywood, Jones, which he joined in 1967. He practices environmental, civil and general law.

“USAO serves a critical role in Oklahoma higher education,” Nelson said. “With the second highest academic standards of any institution in Oklahoma and a growing national profile for quality, USAO is poised to accomplish great things. It is my distinct privilege to serve the state in this capacity.”

Nelson has been member of the Oklahoma Bar Association since 1963. He is admitted to practice law in the jurisdictions of Oklahoma, Texas, U.S. district courts, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme court.

Nelson earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and his law degree from the OU College of Law. He is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, in which he has served as state chair. He also is a member of the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association, among others.

In Chickasha, Nelson served for more than 30 years on the board of the Canadian Valley Technology Center. He has served several terms previously on the USAO Foundation Board of Trustees.

Previously he worked for an Oklahoma City law firm and as an assistant to a member of Congress from Oklahoma.

Nelson and his wife, Charlotte, have two grown children and four grandchildren.